(Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)

By the time Rory McIlroy reached the sixth tee box, he could already sense he wasn't far from the danger zone at the Scottish Open on Thursday.

After a 332-yard drive, McIlroy reached the green in two and had a putt for birdie on the par-4 first. He took five there after a three-putt for bogey, had another bogey at No. 5 and found a fairway bunker on the par-4 15th for a trio of boxes on the scorecard that tallied to a score of one-over with three holes to play.

'I definitely finished the round better than I started it,' said McIlroy, who closed the first round with three consecutive birdies and is 2-under going to Friday. 'Felt like it was a bit of a slow start. I think when you come back over here, links greens, they're a lot slower than what we're used to.'

A three-time winner on the PGA Tour this season, the 2023 Scottish Open champion finished fourth last July when he kicked off the tournament with a first-round 65. He shot 64 in 2023 to finish tied for third after the first round.

McIlroy took the past two weeks off from tournament golf since missing the cut at 9-over at the RBC Canadian Open. He said earlier this week it was a great time for reflection and felt energy and reconnection from listening to the way others felt watching him win the Masters in April.

But the question of motivation came up Thursday, particularly with the Open Championship at his home course Royal Portrush next week, but McIlroy said he's no longer in vacation mode.

'I'm ready to play. The change of scenery has been nice,' he said. 'It's been nice to get back over here. That renewed my excitement and enthusiasm for the rest of the season.'

--Field Level Media